In mid-August in Washington, DC, the focus was on soybeans, a crop with a significant impact on global food security. At Soy Connext 2025, an event organized by the U.S. Soybean Export Council, over 700 participants from 59 countries gathered to discuss how soy can help feed a growing world.
Trade teams from 34 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, toured American farms and ports. They witnessed firsthand the innovation and reliability that make U.S. soy a trusted and sustainable source of food and energy worldwide.
The scale of the soybean industry is vast. In 2024, U.S. soy contributed $31.2 billion to the American economy and was exported to over 80 countries. Global demand continues to rise, with projected use reaching 346 million metric tonnes this year, highlighting soy’s central role in the global poultry, dairy, and aquaculture industries.
A delegation from Pakistan, representing the All-Pakistan Solvent Extractors’ Association, attended the event. They met with U.S. soybean farmers and suppliers, discussing the strong trade relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. and how U.S. soy provides consistent, high-quality, and affordable protein to millions of Pakistani families.
Soybean meal, a byproduct of the bean, is a primary ingredient in poultry feed. In Pakistan, poultry accounts for nearly half of the meat consumed and is the most accessible and affordable source of protein for households. With a population exceeding 250 million, over 60 percent of whom are young people, and a rising demand for nutritious food, these imports are crucial for strengthening food security and supporting healthier futures.
On the sidelines of the event, Pakistan’s Dr. Rai M. Sajid from Jadeed Group received a global STAR Award from USSEC’s Soy Excellence Center (SEC) program. The SEC is a capacity-building initiative that trains the next generation of protein professionals in emerging markets like Pakistan through its learning tracks in aquaculture, poultry, and feed milling.
Soy Connext demonstrates that global partnerships lead to widespread benefits. For Pakistan, this collaboration goes beyond soybeans; it is about investing in people, empowering industries, and unlocking the potential of a young nation poised for strong growth. The platform provided by the U.S. Soybean Export Council enables global partners to work together to create a more nutritious and food-secure world.
